Praying Together 2021

66 Gather Light a candle as a sign of God’s presence and sit quietly. Ring a bell or chime to start the prayer. The Lord be with you. Alleluia! And with your spirit. Alleluia! COLLECT We remember the story of Saint Catherine of Siena, reformer and Doctor of the Church. Let us pray for women in the Church today who seek to renew the Church by the message of the Gospel. (pause) Wise and loving God, fill us with strength and passion for a new proclamation of Jesus’ message. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. SCRIPTURE A reading from the book of the prophet Jeremiah 1:4-8 The Lord said to Jeremiah, “Before I gave you life, and before you were born, I chose you to be a prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah replied, “Lord God, how can I speak for you? I’m too young.” The Lord answered, “Don’t say you’re too young. Go to everyone I send you to and tell them everything I command you. Don’t be afraid of them! I, the Lord, will be with you to keep you safe.” The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. RESPONSE What a wonderful message in today’s reading! God sends us out to go and tell everyone about the things God has done… and young people can do this too! If someone asked you to tell them all about God, what would you say? You might tell them that God is the creator of the universe; that God knows you and loves you; that God protects you; that you can pray to God for help whenever you need it; that everything good comes from God. Share some of your ideas aloud with the group. DISMISSAL May the peace of Christ dwell in our hearts. Alleluia! Alleluia! May God bless us in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Ring the bell or chime to signal the end of the prayer. Extinguish the candle. “Tell them everything I command you.” Thursday St Catherine of Siena 29 April 2021